If you enjoy creepy short story collections then I think I might have found the perfect book for you. (Maybe this could be your Halloween read!) What makes this collection even more interesting is that it was compiled by 4 different children's authors. Claire Legrand, Emma Trevayne, Katherine Catmull, and Stefan Bachmann banded together to write The Cabinet of Curiosities: 36 Tales Brief & Sinister (the Internet has 36 and 40 which is thoroughly confusing even though I've read the book). This book has a little bit of everything and with the added benefit of different author's voices it is certainly never boring. There's magic, mystery, and straight up horror (just to name a few). The black and white illustrations that accompany each story are absolutely perfect (Great job, Alexander Jansson!) and were honestly one of the reasons why I picked up this book in the first place. They've laid out the narrative in a very unique way as they've styled the chapters like the different drawers and cubbies of a traditional cabinet of curiosities. The authors are the 'curators' of this unique cabinet and the stories are the background for each of the 'items' they've collected for the separate compartments. This helps to connect all of the disparate stories into one cohesive collection and keeps the pace moving. All in all, a solid collection that I might find myself drifting back to for the spooky season. 10/10

This book follows a little girl named Amelia Howling who is uprooted from her 'perfect' house into the home of her cousins who have just experienced a tragedy. If you're anything like me, you'll have little sympathy for this bratty little know-it-all but that thankfully doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment of this book. There's a mystery enveloping this new house which is strangely put together with doors that lead to nowhere and different climates for each floor (don't go in the basement!). Amelia is stubbornly determined to remain aloof from the rest of her family and instead gets swept up in things far more sinister than she at first realizes (despite her assurances of being so clever). For those who like a bit of darker fantasy now and again then this is sure to hit the spot. I'd say the ideal age range would be anywhere from 10-14 (although this is more of a suggestion instead of a rule). For me, I found the fantasy/mystery elements quite good and the imagery excellent. Amelia was the worst but you can't win them all. A solid 8/10.

PSS I just went to the author's website and I've decide to check out another book that she's written (in the hopefully near future) titled The Cabinet of Curiosities: 36 Tales Brief and Sinister. Stay tuned for further developments. ;-)

I was very excited to start this one. The beginning held my fascination so much. Londinium was all sorts of wonder but to tell you the truth, it struck me as a world wherein pollution took over. Everyone had mechanical pieces for the body parts that toxins claimed. It took me a while (near the end of the story) to realize that it was the way it was meant to be. A mechanical London, a world vastly different from ours. One which needs machines and clockwork to fully function.

Jack, the son of a wealthy businessman, finds himself on the wrong side of a door. A place very much alike to his home except in the prominence of cyborgs(!) and the soot. Soon after, he finds out that he is to be the new son of the Lady, she who rules over Londinium. As typical as any other heir to a business, Jack is groomed to take over the business as he gets older but for now, he is a brat. And this is where my issues come in ─ I could never stand 'em. If I were a younger maybe I could ignore it and enjoy the story but as it is, I am not. Jack had a painfully slow development. He is curious and he resents his parents for not spending enough with him when evidently they care for him enough to give him the best the world has to offer. He also thinks of only himself, always wants his way and is blind to the state of society as long as everything is good for him. All the qualities of a child I'm sure but if you were not so privileged you would be sensitive enough to be aware that people around you are oppressed. It's not always rainbows and butterflies you know. I adored Beth so much, maybe because there is no trace of malice in her.

I was 70% into the story when the juicy part began. Jack's losses and triumphs molded him to a character we can root for. I loved everything after that though it felt like everything happened too fast. And I would really like know how his parents accepted his return.

Jack was a bit of a jackass for too long before his turnabout and I just don't have the patience for it anymore. Maybe when I was younger maybe, but when I keep saying in my head "Say something-these people are your friends and they care about you" and the character does stupid shit... I love the character of Beth and lots of bits but overall not as much as I'd hoped.

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